Major Prohibition Operation in Ahmedabad Nets Rs 1.3 Crore Liquor Haul
In a significant crackdown under Gujarat's stringent prohibition laws, the State Monitoring Cell (SMC) executed a high-value raid on Sunday, seizing Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) with an estimated market value exceeding Rs 1.3 crore. The operation targeted the area adjacent to the Ramol toll naka on the SP Ring Road, falling within the jurisdiction of the Ramol police station.
Interception and Recovery of Contraband
Acting on intelligence, SMC officials intercepted a truck traveling from Ramol towards Aslali during the raid. A thorough search of the vehicle led to the recovery of a massive consignment comprising 19,848 bottles of IMFL, valued at approximately Rs 1 crore. Preliminary investigations indicate that the seized liquor was allegedly manufactured and bottled by distilleries based in Punjab, including units associated with prominent liquor companies.
Additional Seizures and Arrest
Beyond the liquor haul, authorities confiscated several other items, significantly increasing the total value of the seizure. These included the truck itself, estimated to be worth Rs 25 lakh, a mobile phone valued at Rs 10,000, cash amounting to Rs 10,000, and covering materials worth Rs 2.3 lakh. The combined worth of all seized assets was officially pegged at Rs 1.3 crore.
The driver of the truck, identified as Chunaram Jat, a resident of Barmer district in Rajasthan, was arrested on the spot and subsequently handed over to the Ramol police station. He has been formally booked under the relevant provisions of the Gujarat Prohibition Act and specific sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023.
Ongoing Investigation and Wanted Accused
Police have named multiple individuals as wanted accused in this extensive case. The alleged kingpin is Dedaram Jat, also from Barmer district. Additionally, authorities are seeking two unidentified persons who reportedly loaded the consignment in Punjab's Patiala district, the truck owner, and a suspected buyer from Kheda district. The involvement of a FASTag holder linked to the vehicle is also under active investigation as part of the probe.
The raid was conducted under the leadership of SMC inspectors R K Karamta and P P Brahmbhatt, along with their dedicated team. A comprehensive investigation is currently underway to trace the entire supply network and apprehend the remaining accused involved in this illicit operation.
